HALLOWELL – After living a full life, Margaret A. Wallace, 97, of Hallowell, passed away peacefully at her home in her very own bed with her children by her side on July 1, 2021.

She was born in Niagara, Wis. on April 11, 1924 to Henry and Olive Ehlers. Mom grew up in the Kingsford-Iron Mountain neighborhood of Michigan and went to the local schools there. Coming from a large family, she would often help care for her younger siblings. Many a day after school she would be doing household chores, baking bread with her mother, ironing clothes, and washing floors.

Mom loved to ice skate. During the winter months she so enjoyed ice skating with her girlfriends in the evening at the neighborhood rink. At the end of the evening she would have to scramble to make sure she made it home before the 9 o’clock whistle would blow. During her school days, baseball was a favorite sport and as the story goes, she even pitched on the boy’s baseball team once! She graduated from Edward G Kingsford High School on June 3, 1942.

Shortly after graduation her mother put her on the train bound for Washington, D.C. to join her girlfriends to work for the Navy Department. There she would begin her career as a stenographer. Soon, she met a handsome sailor, Robert Wallace, on a blind date, after proclaiming, “I’ll take the one with the red hair.” Following a whirlwind courtship, Mom and Dad were married on May 22, 1943 at Saint Stephen Martyr Catholic Parish in Washington, despite Mom’s mother’s warning “Stay away from those sailors!”

In 1946 Mom and Dad settled in Hallowell at their newly built home on 10 Maple St. Here they raised their four children in what was to be Mom and Dad’s “forever home”.

Mom loved working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Marigolds were always a favorite! At the end of the growing season the cupboard shelves were full of her homemade jams, jellies, pickles, and green beans.

Holidays and birthdays were always special to Mom as it was an occasion to have family members gather. She loved to create personalized birthday cakes for everyone. Her Christmas cookies and cinnamon buns were a tradition! She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and knitting. Her knitting bag was always close at hand, ready for her next project, a pair of mittens, a sweater, scarf, or an afghan.

Mom was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish and Guild, serving on Parish Councils and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. She always enjoyed being a part of the annual Ladies Guild Christmas Bazaar, donating her homemade candies, including needhams and fudge, homemade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and hand knit mittens.

In the early ’60s Mom worked as a member of the Hallowell correspondents for the Kennebec Journal under Grace Maxwell. One of her assignments was writing the police department reports. During that time, she was also a member of the Loudin Hill Community Club, being part of many charitable activities for the city of Hallowell.

In 1966, Mom went to work for Sea and Shore Fisheries, later to become the Department of Marine Resources. She began utilizing her stenography and organizational talents once again. She was a professional as well as a friend to all in the Department creating many life-long friendships. Mom would take hours of dictation, while collaborating on the writing of legislative testimony or letters. Remembering every document, Mom could go to a file drawer and retrieve the onionskin on a topic she had typed years prior! As Red Tide appeared on our coast, Mom was ready at a moment’s notice with the closure promulgation for the commissioner’s signature and had the newspaper and the affected towns’ notifications ready to go. After 20 years of dedication and hard work, she retired in 1986.

For 25-plus years Mom was a loyal poll worker for the City of Hallowell. In the early years, when voting took place by wards, she could be found counting ballots at the Ward 4 Masonic Hall and in later years at Hall-Dale Elementary School assisting voters.

Throughout the years Mom and Dad danced to the music from the Big Band era, never missing a step! Walking in the woods was a favorite pastime for both with Vaughn Woods as a favorite destination. In their retirement Mom and Dad traveled extensively for 25 years or more. In recent years Mom thoroughly enjoyed her trips to Florida for fun in the sun!

Mom is predeceased by her parents; her husband, Robert; and her brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her children, daughter, Mary Ulrickson of Topsham, her husband Charles and their children Heather and Gretchen; son, John Wallace of Rumford, his wife Lisa and their children Chad and Lindsey; daughter, Susan Dodge of Windsor, her husband James and their children Joshua, Katie and Jason; daughter, Ann Tarr of Pittston and her husband Daniel and their children Samuel and Mallory; great-grandchildren DeShaun, Shyheim, Jax, Jace, Josy, Duncan, Delia, Dylan, Addison, Sawyer and Charlie, Madison, Logan, and Mathias; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 23, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallowell. Committal will follow at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road in Augusta. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 25, noon until 3 p.m. at the family home, 10 Maple St., Hallowell. During this time of the pandemic and concern for everyone’s health, this is a gentle reminder to wear a mask if not vaccinated.

The family would like to thank those at Maine General Hospice and the special caregivers for making it possible for Mom to remain at home. A special thank you is also extended to Dr. Schiff-Slater and the staff at Hallowell Family Practice.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family through the Knowlton and Hewins link at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are under the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta, 623-8722.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

MaineGeneral Hospice,

10 Water St. Suite 307,

Waterville ME 04901.

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